Housing markets feel unpredictable and in constant flux, so when it’s time to sell your house, it’s hard to know how long it may take. However, there are several steps you can take to give your house some polish and help move it in a timely fashion. Homes that are highly desired can be snatched off of the market in a matter of days, so planning ahead can save you time and energy in the long run and get your house sold to its next family.
Declutter Your Space
When people look at homes, the lived-in look actually damages the prospects of the sale. Decluttering can be an excellent first step toward selling your home; making the space look more clean, open, and inviting can do much of the initial legwork. Starting with the most stressful room of your home, envision how you want the space to look and begin moving through one item at a time. Clutter builds up when we put off tidying things up, so each choice about what to keep or pitch will have an exponential effect on the space.
Decluttering for the sale of your home doesn’t have to mean getting rid of belongings you love or treasure; it simply means that it may not have a place in the house while you’re trying to present it. If you have room in your budget, consider renting a storage space. By getting items out of the house, potential buyers can look at the space and imagine living there. The overall average price of a self-storage unit booked in Kansas City, Missouri, over the past 180 days is $100.49, making the storage unit an affordable and practical investment for your sale. Also, remember to shop around online to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
DIY What You Can
There are several projects you can undertake to improve the chances of a sale. One option is to renovate your bathroom; re-tiling the floor or shower can be done over several days and create a dramatic new look for the room. Ceramic tiles, for example, are less expensive than porcelain while still giving a clean, finished look. The cost of ceramic tiles can be as little as $0.50 per square foot, while porcelain is rarely available for less than $3 per square foot. When examining the bathroom, remember to consider the faucets and other hardware, which are easy to replace and can update the feel of the room in minutes.
Another great DIY is to paint your walls in welcoming but neutral colors. Cool colors are now more popular than warm, so try to avoid the beiges and whites of the past. Instead, consider grays or light blues to keep the room from feeling too sterile. It’s also very important to give your home a deep clean. This goes beyond standard maintenance and includes dusting your lights, scrubbing the grout, and even steam cleaning your carpets (you can rent a steamer from a retailer such as Lowe’s for around $29.99). Potential buyers will see this work as evidence of a well-cared-for home, making the sale that much more likely.
Bring in the Professionals
When trying to sell the house, don’t bite off more than you can chew. There are tons of home repair projects that should be handled by a professional. For example, unless you experience this type of work, consider hiring an HVAC expert to make any changes or repairs. The system will be included in a home inspection, so paying a professional to do good work will be more productive than trying to slapdash it yourself. Other areas that should have a practiced eye can include electricity and wiring, plumbing, and tree removal.
By planning and tidying the space, your home will have a better chance to sell quickly. Be realistic about what you can accomplish yourself, and don’t be afraid to bring in an expert to help you make up for lost time. With the right effort, the house will be ready for its next family.
Guest post written by Suzie Wilson of HappierHome.net. Photo by Annie Gray on Unsplash.